Confucius Analects – Avoid strange practices – 孔子论语 – 拒绝极端修炼

15.12 Choose learning rather than strange practices

子曰、吾嘗終日 不食、終夜不寢、以思、無益、不如學也。

The Master said, ‘I have been the whole day without eating, and the whole night without sleeping:– occupied with thinking. It was of no use. The better plan is to learn.’

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These practices of no food/no sleep are not to be followed blindly until advanced stage of cultivation.  Confucius tried it but found it not so helpful in thinking, so he recommended regular studies and practices instead.

In Daoist meditation, there is a spectrum of meditation practices, focusing on self, mind, and energy, and many other types of meditation methods from the Buddhist traditions.  Regarding food and rest, many masters reported that there is less reliance on food and rest in more advanced stage of meditation.

As a general advice, in adopting spiritual practices and lifestyle, listen to the natural rhythm of your body/mind/self and flows with it.  If you are following the flow, there should be improvement in body, mind, and awareness.  Consult authentic teachers and/or medical professionals when necessary.

15.12 終日不食、終夜不寢、以思、無益

子曰、吾嘗終日 不食、終夜不寢、以思、無益、不如學也。

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不要盲目的不食饭和不睡觉。 孔子自己尝试过，但发现它对于思考并没有帮助，与其不吃不睡，不如将精力用在学习中。

在道家和佛家的修炼里，有不同种类的打坐方法，从修气，修心，到修我。 关于食物和休息，某些老师报告，在打坐后阶段，身体对食物和睡眠的依赖会自然减小。

对一般修道人来说，在选择自己的修炼方法和生活方式时，可以聆听自己身/心/我的自然节奏。如果你的选择恰当，你的身心长时间来说应该会越来越健康愉快。 如有疑问，应咨询正规的老师和专业医疗人士。